Mitomycin C induction of bacteriophages from Serpulina hyodysenteriae and Serpulina innocens

Co-opting bacterial viruses for DNA exchange: structure and regulation of gene transfer agents

Horizontal gene transfer occurs via a range of mechanisms, including transformation, conjugation and bacteriophage transduction. Gene transfer agents (GTAs) are an alternative, less-studied route for interbacterial DNA exchange. Encoded within bacterial or archaeal genomes, GTAs assemble into phage-like particles that selflessly package and transmit host DNA to recipient bacteria. Several unique features distinguish GTAs from canonical phages such as an inability to self-replicate, thus producing non-infectious particles. GTAs are also deeply integrated into the physiology of the host cell and are maintained under tight host-regulatory control. Recent advances in understanding the structure and regulation of GTAs have provided further insights into a DNA transfer mechanism that is proving increasingly widespread across the bacterial tree of life.

The microbiome-product colibactin hits unique cellular targets mediating host–microbe interaction

The human microbiota produces molecules that are evolved to interact with the diverse cellular machinery of both the host and microbes, mediating health and diseases. One of the most puzzling microbiome molecules is colibactin, a genotoxin encoded in some commensal and extraintestinal microbes and is implicated in initiating colorectal cancer. The colibactin cluster was discovered more than 15 years ago, and most of the research studies have been focused on revealing the biosynthesis and precise structure of the cryptic encoded molecule(s) and the mechanism of carcinogenesis. In 2022, the Balskus group revealed that colibactin not only hits targets in the eukaryotic cell machinery but also in the prokaryotic cell. To that end, colibactin crosslinks the DNA resulting in activation of the SOS signaling pathway, leading to prophage induction from bacterial lysogens and modulation of virulence genes in pathogenic species. These unique activities of colibactin highlight its ecological role in shaping gut microbial communities and further consequences that impact human health. This review dives in-depth into the molecular mechanisms underpinning colibactin cellular targets in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, aiming to understand the fine details of the role of secreted microbiome chemistry in mediating host–microbe and microbe–microbe interactions. This understanding translates into a better realization of microbiome potential and how this could be advanced to future microbiome-based therapeutics or diagnostic biomarkers.

Antimicrobial-induced horizontal transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes in bacteria: a mini-review

The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among pathogenic bacteria constitute an accelerating crisis for public health. The selective pressures caused by increased use and misuse of antimicrobials in medicine and livestock production have accelerated the overall selection of resistant bacteria. In addition, horizontal gene transfer (HGT) plays an important role in the spread of resistance genes, for example mobilizing reservoirs of AMR from commensal bacteria into pathogenic ones. Antimicrobials, besides antibacterial function, also result in undesirable effects in the microbial populations, including the stimulation of HGT. The main aim of this narrative review was to present an overview of the current knowledge of the impact of antimicrobials on HGT in bacteria, including the effects of transformation, transduction and conjugation, as well as other less well-studied mechanisms of HGT. It is widely accepted that conjugation plays a major role in the spread of AMR in bacteria, and the focus of this review is therefore mainly on the evidence provided that antimicrobial treatment affects this process. Other mechanisms of HGT have so far been deemed less important in this respect; however, recent discoveries suggest their role may be larger than previously thought, and the review provides an update on the rather limited knowledge currently available regarding the impact of antimicrobial treatment on these processes as well. A conclusion from the review is that there is an urgent need to investigate the mechanisms of antimicrobial-induced HGT, since this will be critical for developing new strategies to combat the spread of AMR.

How to Train Your Phage: The Recent Efforts in Phage Training

Control of pathogenic bacteria by deliberate application of predatory phages has potential as a powerful therapy against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The key advantages of phage biocontrol over antibacterial chemotherapy are: (1) an ability to self-propagate inside host bacteria, (2) targeted predation of specific species or strains of bacteria, (3) adaptive molecular machinery to overcome resistance in target bacteria. However, realizing the potential of phage biocontrol is dependent on harnessing or adapting these responses, as many phage species switch between lytic infection cycles (resulting in lysis) and lysogenic infection cycles (resulting in genomic integration) that increase the likelihood of survival of the phage in response to external stress or host depletion. Similarly, host range will need to be optimized to make phage therapy medically viable whilst avoiding the potential for deleteriously disturbing the commensal microbiota. Phage training is a new approach to produce efficient phages by capitalizing on the evolved response of wild-type phages to bacterial resistance. Here we will review recent studies reporting successful trials of training different strains of phages to switch into lytic replication mode, overcome bacterial resistance, and increase their host range. This review will also highlight the current knowledge of phage training and future implications in phage applications and phage therapy and summarize the recent pipeline of the magistral preparation to produce a customized phage for clinical trials and medical applications.

Femtoplankton: What's New?

Since the discovery of high abundances of virus-like particles in aquatic environment, emergence of new analytical methods in microscopy and molecular biology has allowed significant advances in the characterization of the femtoplankton, i.e., floating entities filterable on a 0.2 µm pore size filter. The successive evidences in the last decade (2010-2020) of high abundances of biomimetic mineral-organic particles, extracellular vesicles, CPR/DPANN (Candidate phyla radiation/Diapherotrites, Parvarchaeota, Aenigmarchaeota, Nanoarchaeota and Nanohaloarchaeota), and very recently of aster-like nanoparticles (ALNs), show that aquatic ecosystems form a huge reservoir of unidentified and overlooked femtoplankton entities. The purpose of this review is to highlight this unsuspected diversity. Herein, we focus on the origin, composition and the ecological potentials of organic femtoplankton entities. Particular emphasis is given to the most recently discovered ALNs. All the entities described are displayed in an evolutionary context along a continuum of complexity, from minerals to cell-like living entities.

Gene Transfer Agents in Symbiotic Microbes

Prokaryotes commonly undergo genome reduction, particularly in the case of symbiotic bacteria. Genome reductions tend toward the energetically favorable removal of unnecessary, redundant, or nonfunctional genes. However, without mechanisms to compensate for these losses, deleterious mutation and genetic drift might otherwise overwhelm a population. Among the mechanisms employed to counter gene loss and share evolutionary success within a population, gene transfer agents (GTAs) are increasingly becoming recognized as important contributors. Although viral in origin, GTA particles package fragments of their "host" genome for distribution within a population of cells, often in a synchronized manner, rather than selfishly packaging genes necessary for their spread. Microbes as diverse as archaea and alpha-proteobacteria have been known to produce GTA particles, which are capable of transferring selective advantages such as virulence factors and antibiotic resistance. In this review, we discuss the various types of GTAs identified thus far, focusing on a defined set of symbiotic alpha-proteobacteria known to carry them. Drawing attention to the predicted presence of these genes, we discuss their potential within the selective marine and terrestrial environments occupied by mutualistic, parasitic, and endosymbiotic microbes.

Small extracellular particles with big potential for horizontal gene transfer: membrane vesicles and gene transfer agents

Bacteria are known to release different types of particles that serve various purposes such as the processing of metabolites, communication, and the transfer of genetic material. One of the most interesting aspects of the production of such particles is the biogenesis and trafficking of complex particles that can carry DNA, RNA, proteins or toxins into the surrounding environment to aid in bacterial survival or lead to gene transfer. Two important bacterial extracellular complexes are membrane vesicles and gene transfer agents. In this review, we will discuss the production, contents and functions of these two types of particles as related to their abilities to facilitate horizontal gene transfer.

Phages and Human Health: More Than Idle Hitchhikers

Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that infect bacteria and archaea. Phages have diverse morphologies and can be coded in DNA or RNA and as single or double strands with a large range of genome sizes. With the increasing use of metagenomic sequencing approaches to analyze complex samples, many studies generate massive amounts of "viral dark matter", or sequences of viral origin unable to be classified either functionally or taxonomically. Metagenomic analysis of phages is still in its infancy, and uncovering novel phages continues to be a challenge. Work over the past two decades has begun to uncover key roles for phages in different environments, including the human gut. Recent studies in humans have identified expanded phage populations in both healthy infants and in inflammatory bowel disease patients, suggesting distinct phage activity during development and in specific disease states. In this review, we examine our current knowledge of phage biology and discuss recent efforts to improve the analysis and discovery of novel phages. We explore the roles phages may play in human health and disease and discuss the future of phage research.

Mechanisms of Antibacterial Action of Quinoxaline 1,4-di-N-oxides against Clostridium perfringens and Brachyspira hyodysenteriae

Quinoxaline 1,4-di-N-oxides (QdNOs) are a class of bioreductive compounds, however, their antibacterial mechanisms are still unclarified. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of two representative QdNO drugs, cyadox (CYA) and olaquindox (OLA), to produce reactive oxide species (ROS) in Gram-positive anaerobe Clostridium perfringens CVCC1125 and Gram-negative anaerobe Brachyspira hyodysenteriae B204. In addition, the effects of QdNOs on the integrity of bacterial cell walls and membranes as well as the morphological alterations and DNA oxidative damage in C. perfringens and B. hyodysenteriae were analyzed. It was demonstrated that under anaerobic conditions, QdNOs were metabolized into the reduced products which did not show any antibacterial activity. A significant dose-related increase of intracellular ROS level and intracellular hydroxyl radicals were evident in bacteria exposed to QdNOs. The result of biochemical assay showed that the cell walls and membranes of the bacteria treated with QdNOs were damaged. After exposure to 1/2MIC to 4MIC of CYA and OLA, C. perfringens and B. hyodysenteriae became elongated and filamentous. Morphological observation with scanning and transmission electron microscopes revealed rupture, loss of cytoplasmic material and cell lysis in QdNO-treated bacteria, indicating serious damage of cells. There was an increase of 8-OHdG in the two strains treated by QdNOs, but it was lower in C. perfringens CVCC1125 than in B. hyodysenteriae B204. Agarose gel electrophoresis showed the degradation of chromosomal DNA in both of the two anaerobes treated by QdNOs. The results suggest that QdNOs may kill C. perfringens and B. hyodysenteriae via the generation of ROS and hydroxyl radicals from the bacterial metabolism of QdNOs, which cause oxidative damage in bacteria under anaerobic conditions.

Brachyspira and its role in avian intestinal spirochaetosis

The fastidious, anaerobic spirochaete Brachyspira is capable of causing enteric disease in avian, porcine and human hosts, amongst others, with a potential for zoonotic transmission. Avian intestinal spirochaetosis (AIS), the resulting disease from colonisation of the caeca and colon of poultry by Brachyspira leads to production losses, with an estimated annual cost of circa £ 18 million to the commercial layer industry in the United Kingdom. Of seven known and several proposed species of Brachyspira, three are currently considered pathogenic to poultry; B. alvinipulli, B. intermedia and B. pilosicoli. Currently, AIS is primarily prevented by strict biosecurity controls and is treated using antimicrobials, including tiamulin. Other treatment strategies have been explored, including vaccination and probiotics, but such developments have been hindered by a limited understanding of the pathobiology of Brachyspira. A lack of knowledge of the metabolic capabilities and little genomic information for Brachyspira has resulted in a limited understanding of the pathobiology. In addition to an emergence of antibiotic resistance amongst Brachyspira, bans on the prophylactic use of antimicrobials in livestock are driving an urgent requirement for alternative treatment strategies for Brachyspira-related diseases, such as AIS. Advances in the molecular biology and genomics of Brachyspira heralds the potential for the development of tools for genetic manipulation to gain an improved understanding of the pathogenesis of Brachyspira.

Gene transfer agents: phage-like elements of genetic exchange

Horizontal gene transfer is important in the evolution of bacterial and archaeal genomes. An interesting genetic exchange process is carried out by diverse phage-like gene transfer agents (GTAs) that are found in a wide range of prokaryotes. Although GTAs resemble phages, they lack the hallmark capabilities that define typical phages, and they package random pieces of the producing cell's genome. In this Review, we discuss the defining characteristics of the GTAs that have been identified to date, along with potential functions for these agents and the possible evolutionary forces that act on the genes involved in their production.

Treponema denticola biofilm-induced expression of a bacteriophage, toxin-antitoxin systems and transposases

Treponema denticola is an oral spirochaete that has been strongly associated with chronic periodontitis. The bacterium exists as part of a dense biofilm (subgingival dental plaque) accreted to the tooth. To determine T. denticola gene products important for persistence as a biofilm we developed a continuous-culture biofilm model and conducted a genome-wide transcriptomic analysis of biofilm and planktonic cells. A total of 126 genes were differentially expressed with a fold change of 1.5 or greater. This analysis identified the upregulation of putative prophage genes in the T. denticola 35405 genome. Intact bacteriophage particles were isolated from T. denticola and circular phage DNA was detected by PCR analysis. This represents the first, to our knowledge, functional bacteriophage isolated from T. denticola, which we have designated varphitd1. In biofilm cells there was also an upregulation of genes encoding several virulence factors, toxin-antitoxin systems and a family of putative transposases. Together, these data indicate that there is a higher potential for genetic mobility in T. denticola when growing as a biofilm and that these systems are important for the biofilm persistence and therefore virulence of this bacterium.

Identification of a novel prophage-like gene cluster actively expressed in both virulent and avirulent strains of Leptospira interrogans serovar Lai

DNA microarray analysis was used to compare the differential gene expression profiles between Leptospira interrogans serovar Lai type strain 56601 and its corresponding attenuated strain IPAV. A 22-kb genomic island covering a cluster of 34 genes (i.e., genes LA0186 to LA0219) was actively expressed in both strains but concomitantly upregulated in strain 56601 in contrast to that of IPAV. Reverse transcription-PCR assays proved that the gene cluster comprised five transcripts. Gene annotation of this cluster revealed characteristics of a putative prophage-like remnant with at least 8 of 34 sequences encoding prophage-like proteins, of which the LA0195 protein is probably a putative prophage CI-like regulator. The transcription initiation activities of putative promoter-regulatory sequences of transcripts I, II, and III, all proximal to the LA0195 gene, were further analyzed in the Escherichia coli promoter probe vector pKK232-8 by assaying the reporter chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) activities. The strong promoter activities of both transcripts I and II indicated by the E. coli CAT assay were well correlated with the in vitro sequence-specific binding of the recombinant LA0195 protein to the corresponding promoter probes detected by the electrophoresis mobility shift assay. On the other hand, the promoter activity of transcript III was very low in E. coli and failed to show active binding to the LA0195 protein in vitro. These results suggested that the LA0195 protein is likely involved in the transcription of transcripts I and II. However, the identical complete DNA sequences of this prophage remnant from these two strains strongly suggests that possible regulatory factors or signal transduction systems residing outside of this region within the genome may be responsible for the differential expression profiling in these two strains.

Collateral effects of antibiotics: carbadox and metronidazole induce VSH-1 and facilitate gene transfer among Brachyspira hyodysenteriae strains

Brachyspira hyodysenteriae is an anaerobic spirochete and the etiologic agent of swine dysentery. The genome of this spirochete contains a mitomycin C-inducible, prophage-like gene transfer agent designated VSH-1. VSH-1 particles package random 7.5-kb fragments of the B. hyodysenteriae genome and transfer genes between B. hyodysenteriae cells. The chemicals and conditions inducing VSH-1 production are largely unknown. Antibiotics used in swine management and stressors inducing traditional prophages might induce VSH-1 and thereby stimulate lateral gene transfer between B. hyodysenteriae cells. In these studies, VSH-1 induction was initially detected by a quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR assay evaluating increased transcription of hvp38 (VSH-1 head protein gene). VSH-1 induction was confirmed by detecting VSH-1-associated 7.5-kb DNA and VSH-1 particles in B. hyodysenteriae cultures. Nine antibiotics (chlortetracycline, lincomycin, tylosin, tiamulin, virginiamycin, ampicillin, ceftriaxone, vancomycin, and florfenicol) at concentrations affecting B. hyodysenteriae growth did not induce VSH-1 production. By contrast, VSH-1 was detected in B. hyodysenteriae cultures treated with mitomycin C (10 microg/ml), carbadox (0.5 microg/ml), metronidazole (0.5 microg/ml), and H(2)O(2) (300 microM). Carbadox- and metronidazole-induced VSH-1 particles transmitted tylosin and chloramphenicol resistance determinants between B. hyodysenteriae strains. The results of these studies suggest that certain antibiotics may induce the production of prophage or prophage-like elements by intestinal bacteria and thereby impact intestinal microbial ecology.

Induction and transcription of VSH-1, a prophage-like gene transfer agent of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae

The anaerobic spirochete Brachyspira hyodysenteriae is host to a bacteriophage-like agent known as VSH-1. VSH-1 is a novel gene transfer mechanism which does not self-propagate and transfers random 7.5kb fragments of host DNA between B. hyodysenteriae cells. In these investigations early events during VSH-1 induction by mitomycin C were examined. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that VSH-1 hvp38 and hvp53 genes did not detectably increase in copy numbers during induction. Based on Northern blot hybridization assays, transcription of VSH-1 genes hvp38, hvp53, hvp45, hvp101, and lys increased fivefold to tenfold between 2 and 4h after induction whereas mRNA levels for B. hyodysenteriae flaA1 declined over the same time period. Chloramphenicol prevented the mitomycin C-induced increases in VSH-1 gene transcription. Hydrogen peroxide (300muM) substituted for mitomycin C as an inducer of VSH-1 gene transcription and is a possible 'natural' inducer of VSH-1 production in vivo. Northern blot hybridization, RT PCR, and primer extension analyses showed that VSH-1 genes are co-transcribed at an initiation site upstream of the VSH-1 gene operon. Two direct heptanucleotide repeats (ACTTATA) were identified between the putative -35 and -10 positions of the VSH-1 gene operon and are likely to represent a binding site for transcription proteins. These findings indicate VSH-1 virion production does not require genome replication, consistent with the inability of VSH-1 to self-propagate. Early events in VSH-1 induction include de novo synthesis of protein(s) essential for transcription of VSH-1 genes as polycistronic mRNA initiating upstream of the hvp45 gene.

Prophage-like gene transfer agents-novel mechanisms of gene exchange for Methanococcus, Desulfovibrio, Brachyspira, and Rhodobacter species

Gene transfer agents (GTAs) are novel mechanisms for bacterial gene transfer. They resemble small, tailed bacteriophages in ultrastructure and act like generalized transducing prophages. In contrast to functional prophages, GTAs package random fragments of bacterial genomes and incomplete copies of their own genomes. The packaged DNA content is characteristic of the GTA and ranges in size from 4.4 to 13.6kb. GTAs have been reported in species of Brachyspira, Methanococcus, Desulfovibrio, and Rhodobacter. The best studied GTAs are VSH-1 of the anaerobic, pathogenic spirochete Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and RcGTA of the nonsulfur, purple, photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus. VSH-1 and RcGTA have likely contributed to the ecology and evolution of these bacteria. The existence of GTAs in phylogenetically diverse bacteria suggests GTAs may be more common in nature than is now appreciated.

Susceptibility to pleuromutilins inBrachyspira(Serpulina)hyodysenteriae

The pleuromutilins are the only antimicrobial agents with sufficient minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values left to treat swine dysentery in Sweden. Other antimicrobials are either not approved for use against swine dysentery or only partly active againstBrachyspira hyodysenteriae. To date, in Sweden two pleuromutilins, tiamulin and valnemulin, are authorized for use in pigs. This study includes a comparison between MICs of tiamulin and valnemulin for Swedish field isolates ofB. hyodysenteriae, as determined by broth dilution. For different isolates the MIC of tiamulin was between 0 and 8 times higher than that of valnemulin. No resistance to pleuromutilins was recorded (tiamulin MIC range 0.031–2 μg/ml, valnemulin MIC range ≤0.016–1 μg/ml).In vitrodevelopment of tiamulin resistance was also studied. TwoB. hyodysenteriaeand twoB. pilosicolistrains became resistant to tiamulin following reiterated passages on agar containing tiamulin in increasing concentrations. The resistance emerged slowly and three of the strains that went through more than 60 passages increased their tiamulin MICs from 0.031–0.25 to more than 128 μg/ml. The tiamulin MIC for oneB. hyodysenteriaestrain that went through 29 passages increased from 0.0125 to 4 μg/ml. OneB. pilosicolistrain developed cross-resistance to valnemulin; the MIC increased from 0.25 to more than 64 μg/ml. The valnemulin MIC for oneB. hyodysenteriaestrain increased from 0.031 μg/ml to 32 μg/ml. Valnemulin MIC was not determined for theB. hyodysenteriaestrain that only went through 29 passages. The valnemulin MIC of the otherB. pilosicolistrain increased from 0.031 to 4 μg/ml.

Importance of widespread gene transfer agent genes in α-proteobacteria

The gene transfer agent produced by Rhodobacter capsulatus (RcGTA) is a model for several virus-like elements that seem to function solely for mediating gene exchange. Several genes that encode RcGTA are clearly related to bacteriophage genes but the cellular regulatory mechanisms that control RcGTA production indicate that RcGTA is more than just a defective prophage. Genome sequencing projects show that seemingly functional RcGTA-like structural gene clusters are present in many other species of alpha-proteobacteria, which might also produce RcGTA-like particles. Here, we use the genomic sequence data that are currently available to identify candidate GTA-producing species and propose an evolutionary scheme for RcGTA-like elements in the alpha-proteobacteria.

Demonstration of cotranscription and 1-methyl-3-nitroso-nitroguanidine induction of a 30-gene operon of Borrelia burgdorferi: evidence that the 32-kilobase circular plasmids are prophages

The Borrelia genome is comprised of linear and circular elements, including a group of 32-kb circular plasmids (cp32s). Earlier analyses identified a bacteriophage, varphiBB-1, that may package cp32s, suggesting that these plasmids are prophages. cp32-8, cp32-9, and cp32-1 (plasmids L, N, and P, respectively) encode virulence factors such as the factor H binding, OspE proteins (BBL39, BBN38, and BBP38). Here the expression patterns of cp32-8 open reading frames (ORFs) in in vitro-cultivated 1-methyl-3-nitroso-nitroguanidine (MNNG)-treated and untreated spirochetes and during infection were assessed. ORFs BBL42 through BBL28, which encode several bacteriophage protein homologs, were found to be cotranscribed and expression was upregulated by MNNG. Immunoblotting revealed that MNNG-induced transcription led to increased protein production. The expression of several genes that reside outside of the BBL42-BBL28 operon was not affected by MNNG. Some of these genes, including OspE (BBL39), appear to represent morons. Real-time reverse transcription-PCR of spirochetes in mouse tissue revealed that although the phage operon was not induced during infection, transcription of BBL23 (previously designated BlyA), a putative holin, was upregulated. This observation indicates that some genes within the operon can be independently transcribed from internal promoters. Additional transcriptional analyses of the operon identified multiple transcriptional start sites and provided evidence for the expression of a homologous operon from other cp32s. The data support the hypothesis put forth by C. Eggers and D. S. Samuels (J. Bacteriol. 181:7308-7313, 1999) that the cp32s are prophages, a finding with broad implications for our understanding of Borrelia pathogenesis and Borrelia genome evolution.

Identification of genes of VSH-1, a prophage-like gene transfer agent of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae

VSH-1 is a mitomycin C-inducible prophage of the anaerobic spirochete Brachyspira hyodysenteriae. Purified VSH-1 virions are noninfectious, contain random 7.5-kb fragments of the bacterial genome, and mediate generalized transduction of B. hyodysenteriae cells. In order to identify and sequence genes of this novel gene transfer agent (GTA), proteins associated either with VSH-1 capsids or with tails were purified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of 11 proteins were determined. Degenerate PCR primers were designed from the amino acid sequences and used to amplify several VSH-1 genes from B. hyodysenteriae strain B204 DNA. A lambda clone library of B. hyodysenteriae B204 DNA was subsequently screened by Southern hybridization methods and used to identify and sequence overlapping DNA inserts containing additional VSH-1 genes. VSH-1 genes spanned 16.3 kb of the B. hyodysenteriae chromosome and were flanked by bacterial genes. VSH-1 identified genes and unidentified, intervening open reading frames were consecutively organized in head (seven genes), tail (seven genes), and lysis (four genes) clusters in the same transcriptional direction. Putative lysis genes encoding endolysin (Lys) and holin proteins were identified from sequence and structural similarities of their translated protein products with GenBank bacteriophage proteins. Recombinant Lys protein hydrolyzed peptidoglycan purified from B. hyodysenteriae cells. The identified VSH-1 genes exceed the DNA capacity of VSH-1 virions and do not encode traditional bacteriophage early functions involved in DNA replication. These genome properties explain the noninfectious nature of VSH-1 virions and further confirm its resemblance to known prophage-like, GTAs of other bacterial species, such as the GTA from Rhodobacter capsulatus. The identification of VSH-1 genes will enable analysis of the regulation of this GTA and should facilitate investigations of VSH-1-like prophages from other Brachyspira species.

Colonic spirochetosis in animals and humans

Colonic spirochetosis is a disease caused by the gram-negative bacteria Brachyspira aalborgi and Brachyspira pilosicoli. B. pilosicoli induces disease in both humans and animals, whereas B. aalborgi affects only humans and higher primates. Symptoms in humans include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and abdominal cramps. Colonic spirochetosis is common in third world countries; however, in developed countries, the disease is observed mainly in homosexual males. Terminally ill patients infected with Brachyspira are particularly at risk for developing spirochetemia. Diarrhea, poor growth performance, and decreased feed-to-gain efficiency is seen in pigs with colonic spirochetosis. The disease in chickens is characterized by delayed and/or reduced egg production, diarrhea, poor feed conversion, and retarded growth. Thus, colonic spirochetosis can represent a serious economic loss in the swine and poultry industries. The organisms are transmitted by the fecal-oral route, and several studies have demonstrated that human, primate, pig, dog, or bird strains of B. pilosicoli can be transmitted to pigs, chickens, and mice. B. pilosicoli may be a zoonotic pathogen, and although it has not been demonstrated, there is a possibility that both B. pilosicoli and B. aalborgi can be transferred to humans via contact with the feces of infected animals, meat from infected animals, or food contaminated by food handlers. Neither B. pilosicoli nor B. aalborgi has been well characterized in terms of basic cellular functions, pathogenicity, or genetics. Studies are needed to more thoroughly understand these Brachyspira species and their disease mechanisms.

Detection of bacteriophage VSH-1 svp38 gene in Brachyspira spirochetes

VSH-1 is a mitomycin C-inducible, non-lytic, phage-like agent that packages random 7.5-kb fragments of the Brachyspira hyodysenteriae genome. VSH-1 is the first recognized mechanism for gene transfer between B. hyodysenteriae cells. To analyze the distribution of VSH-1 among spirochetes, a 344-bp probe for gene svp38, encoding the VSH-1 major head protein, was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and used in Southern blot hybridizations with genomic DNA from various spirochete genera. The svp38 probe hybridized to a 40-kb SalI-SmaI fragment of the B. hyodysenteriae B78(T) chromosome, indicating VSH-1 DNA insertion into the chromosome at a unique site. Restriction endonuclease digested DNAs of 27 spirochete strains representing six Brachyspira species (B. hyodysenteriae, B. innocens, B. pilosicoli, B. murdochii, B. intermedia, B. alvinipulli) contained a single fragment hybridizing with the svp38 probe. DNAs from spirochete species of the genera Treponema, Spirochaeta, Borrelia, and Leptospira did not hybridize with the probe. VSH-1-like agents appear to be widely distributed among Brachyspira species and, as has been demonstrated for B. hyodysenteriae, may serve as useful gene transfer agents for those other species.

Transduction by phiBB-1, a bacteriophage of Borrelia burgdorferi

We previously described a bacteriophage of the Lyme disease agent Borrelia burgdorferi designated phiBB-1. This phage packages the host complement of the 32-kb circular plasmids (cp32s), a group of homologous molecules found throughout the genus Borrelia. To demonstrate the ability of phiBB-1 to package and transduce DNA, a kanamycin resistance cassette was inserted into a cloned fragment of phage DNA, and the resulting construct was transformed into B. burgdorferi CA-11.2A cells. The kan cassette recombined into a resident cp32 and was stably maintained. The cp32 containing the kan cassette was packaged by phiBB-1 released from this B. burgdorferi strain. phiBB-1 has been used to transduce this antibiotic resistance marker into naive CA-11.2A cells, as well as two other strains of B. burgdorferi. This is the first direct evidence of a mechanism for lateral gene transfer in B. burgdorferi.

Brachyspira (Serpulina) hyodysenteriae gyrB mutants and interstrain transfer of coumermycin A(1) resistance

To further develop genetic techniques for the enteropathogen Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, the gyrB gene of this spirochete was isolated from a lambdaZAPII library of strain B204 genomic DNA and sequenced. The putative protein encoded by this gene exhibited up to 55% amino acid sequence identity with GyrB proteins of various bacterial species, including other spirochetes. B. hyodysenteriae coumermycin A(1)-resistant (Cn(r)) mutant strains, both spontaneous and UV induced, were isolated by plating B204 cells onto Trypticase soy blood agar plates containing 0.5 microg of coumermycin A(1)/ml. The coumermycin A(1) MICs were 25 to 100 microg/ml for the resistant strains and 0.1 to 0.25 microg/ml for strain B204. Four Cn(r) strains had single nucleotide changes in their gyrB genes, corresponding to GyrB amino acid changes of Gly(78) to Ser (two strains), Gly(78) to Cys, and Thr(166) to Ala. When Cn(r) strain 435A (Gly(78) to Ser) and Cm(r) Km(r) strain SH (DeltaflaA1::cat Deltanox::kan) were cultured together in brain heart infusion broth containing 10% (vol/vol) heat-treated (56 degrees C, 30 min) calf serum, cells resistant to chloramphenicol, coumermycin A(1), and kanamycin could be isolated from the cocultures after overnight incubation, but such cells could not be isolated from monocultures of either strain. Seven Cn(r) Km(r) Cm(r) strains were tested and were determined to have resistance genotypes of both strain 435A and strain SH. Cn(r) Km(r) Cm(r) cells could not be isolated when antiserum to the bacteriophage-like agent VSH-1 was added to cocultures, and the numbers of resistant cells increased fivefold when mitomycin C, an inducer of VSH-1 production, was added. These results indicate that coumermycin resistance associated with a gyrB mutation is a useful selection marker for monitoring gene exchange between B. hyodysenteriae cells. Gene transfer readily occurs between B. hyodysenteriae cells in broth culture, a finding with practical importance. VSH-1 is the likely mechanism for gene transfer.

Molecular evidence for a new bacteriophage of Borrelia burgdorferi

We have recovered a DNase-protected, chloroform-resistant molecule of DNA from the cell-free supernatant of a Borrelia burgdorferi culture. The DNA is a 32-kb double-stranded linear molecule that is derived from the 32-kb circular plasmids (cp32s) of the B. burgdorferi genome. Electron microscopy of samples from which the 32-kb DNA molecule was purified revealed bacteriophage particles. The bacteriophage has a polyhedral head with a diameter of 55 nm and appears to have a simple 100-nm-long tail. The phage is produced constitutively at low levels from growing cultures of some B. burgdorferi strains and is inducible to higher levels with 10 microg of 1-methyl-3-nitroso-nitroguanidine (MNNG) ml(-1). In addition, the prophage can be induced with MNNG from some Borrelia isolates that do not naturally produce phage. We have isolated and partially characterized the phage associated with B. burgdorferi CA-11.2A. To our knowledge, this is the first molecular characterization of a bacteriophage of B. burgdorferi.

A comparison of the morphologic effects of Serpulina hyodysenteriae or its beta-hemolysin on the murine cecal mucosa

Studies were carried out to compare the early morphologic changes in the cecal mucosa of mice either infected with Serpulina hyodysenteriae or exposed to the beta-hemolysin of S. hyodysenteriae. Sixty-five 12-24-week-old C3H/HeOuJ mice were infected with S. hyodysenteriae by gastric intubation. Two mice were necropsied every hour for 30 hours following infection. S. hyodysenteriae was isolated from the cecal contents of each mouse at all time points. Macroscopic lesions were first apparent at 14 hours postinfection (PI), and light microscopic lesions were first apparent at 10 hours PI, earlier than has been previously reported. Ultrastructural changes, first evident at 6 hours PI, included disarray and loss of microvilli and terminal web, with dilatation of intercellular spaces. Luminal bacteria were translocated through epithelial cells to the lamina propria, where capillaries exhibited changes indicative of increased permeability. In another experiment, solutions containing between 2,500 and 25,000 hemolytic units of purified S. hyodysenteriae hemolysin were placed within the lumen of surgically closed murine ceca (n = 10); ceca were collected for examination 3 hours following treatment. Ultrastructural changes consisted of loss of microvilli and terminal web and marked vacuolation and exfoliation of epithelial cells. Significant numbers of necrotic and apoptotic epithelial cells were present, and epithelial cells internalized moderate numbers of bacteria. The hemolysin of S. hyodysenteriae induces some of the same early ultrastructural changes in the cecal epithelium of mice as occur following infection with S. hyodysenteriae. Based on the observed bacterial translocation, luminal bacteria also appear to play a unique role in lesion development in this model.

Evidence for Serpulina hyodysenteriae being recombinant, with an epidemic population structure

The population structure of Serpulina hyodysenteriae was investigated using multilocus enzyme electrophoresis. A total of 231 isolates were divided into 50 electrophoretic types (ETs), with a mean genetic diversity of 0.29 for the number of ETs and 0.23 for the number of isolates. Subsets of isolates from two Australian states (71 isolates from Victoria and 68 isolates from Queensland) exhibited as much genetic variation as the entire collection. The calculated index of association (IA) for the number of ETs (0.29 +/- 0.17) was not significantly different from zero, and hence provided evidence for the occurrence of significant genetic recombination accounting for the observed variation between strains. In contrast, the IA for the number of isolates (3.93 +/- 0.03) was significantly different from zero, with seven of the 50 ETs (ETs 4, 6, 13, 14, 20, 33 and 35) containing 51% of all the isolates. Even when multiple isolates from the same farm were removed from the analysis, the IA value for the number of isolates remained significantly greater than zero (IA 9.87 +/- 0.04), indicating that it was not biased by their inclusion. The results suggest that S. hyodysenteriae has an epidemic population structure.

Homology throughout the multiple 32-kilobase circular plasmids present in Lyme disease spirochetes

We have characterized seven different 32-kb circular plasmids carried by Borrelia burgdorferi isolate B31. Restriction endonuclease recognition site mapping and partial sequencing of these plasmids indicated that all seven are probably closely related to each other throughout their lengths and have substantial relationships to cp8.3, an 8.3-kb circular plasmid of B. burgdorferi sensu lato isolate Ip21. With the addition of the seven 32-kb plasmids, this bacterial strain is known to carry at least 10 linear and 9 circular plasmids. Variant cultures of B. burgdorferi B31 lacking one or more of the 32-kb circular plasmids are viable and, at least in some cases, infectious. We have examined a number of different natural isolates of Lyme disease borreliae and found that all of the B. burgdorferi sensu stricto isolates and most of the B. burgdorferi sensu lato isolates tested appear to carry multiple 32-kb circular plasmids related to those of B. burgdorferi B31. The ubiquity of these plasmids suggests that they may be important in the natural life cycle of these organisms. They may be highly conjugative plasmids or prophage genomes, which could prove to be useful in genetically manipulating B. burgdorferi.

Purification and characterization of VSH-1, a generalized transducing bacteriophage of Serpulina hyodysenteriae

Serpulina hyodysenteriae B204 cells treated with mitomycin (20 microg of mitomycin/ml of culture broth) lysed and released bacteriophages. Bacteriophage particles, precipitated by using polyethylene glycol and purified by CsC1 density gradient ultracentrifugation, had a buoyant density of 1.375 g/cm3 and consisted of a head (45-nm diameter) and an ultrastructurally simple (noncontractile) tail (64 by 9 nm) composed of at least 13 proteins with molecular masses ranging between 13 and 101 kDa. The purified bacteriophage has been designated VSH-1 (VSH for virus of S. hyodysenteriae). VSH-1 was incapable of lytic growth on any of five intestinal spirochete strains, representing three Serpulina species. VSH-1 nucleic acid was determined to be approximately 7.5 kb in size and to be linear, double-stranded DNA based on differential staining with acridine orange, DNase I sensitivity, electrophoretic mobility, and contour length as measured by electron microscopy. Phage DNA digested by the restriction enzymes SspI, AseI, EcoRV, and AflII gave electrophoretic banding patterns nearly identical to those of digested chromosomal DNA from S. hyodysenteriae. Additionally, VSH-1 DNA fragments hybridized with probes complementary to S. hyodysenteriae chromosomal genes nox and flaA1. When purified bacteriophages induced from cultures of S. hyodysenteriae A203 (deltaflaA1 593-762::cat) were added to growing cells of strain A216 (deltanox 438-760::kan), transductants (Cmr Kmr) were obtained at a frequency of 1.5 x l0(-6) per phage particle (enumerated by electron microscopy). These findings indicate that induced VSH-1 virions package DNA of S. hyodysenteriae and are capable of transferring host genes between cells of that spirochete. To our knowledge, this is the first report of genetic transduction of a spirochete.